Manas Maishra and Leroy Leo

(Reuters) – Americans are concerned about holiday travel due to the Omicron variant’s spread and an increase in COVID-19 case numbers.

The following is advice from health professionals.

WHO CAN TRAVE SAFELY?

Anthony Fauci, an American infectious disease official has indicated that Americans are allowed to travel as long as they have been vaccinated.

Vivek Cheri, an internist based in Chicago, stated, “If you’re completely vaccinated with a booster and are healthy, you should be able to travel.”

About 65% are eligible Americans have been fully immunized.

Immunized individuals with immunocompromised conditions or who travel with unvaccinated children must assess their tolerance to risk. Cherian stated that this includes checking to make sure everyone is up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health said earlier in this month to NBC, “I think that it’s more important where you’re going when you travel, and what type of gatherings you’re going for.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT UNVACCINATED PERSONS?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that unvaccinated persons not travel.

Federal recommendations recommend that anyone traveling with unvaccinated children should be tested prior to and during their trip. California, for example, has tightened the testing requirements for people wanting to go to large music festivals or other events.

HOW CAN CORONAVIRUS RISK BE MINIMIZED?

Experts say holiday activities present a greater risk to the virus spread in larger crowds indoors than in well-ventilated spaces.

Joshua Barocas is an associate professor of medicine at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus. He advised that people should meet outdoors and wear masks to perform quick tests, before they return to work or with unvaccinated friends.

Recommendation: It’s a good idea to keep your social circle separate indoors and out.

ARE THERE OTHER RULES YOU SHOULD BE AWARENESS?

Although most states have no restrictions on national travelers, some have guidelines or rules regarding mask-wearing, testing and quarantine.

Hawaii demands that travelers be fully immunized or have a negative result from a test 72 hours prior to their arrival. Kansas requires that people have not been on cruises and are quarantined.

California has reinstated an indoor mask requirement for travelers who arrive in California.

Americans that travel internationally are required to pass a COVID-19 negative test before returning home.

COVID-19 patients who are currently in recovery can present instead a physician’s note with a positive result and no longer than 90 days prior to traveling.

HOW DO YOU VIEW INTERNATIONAL TRADE?

America has warned Americans not to travel Mauritius, South Africa, and many other European countries. See the most recent recommendations.

The White House banned entry last month to almost all foreign citizens from 8 southern African countries, including South Africa. Fauci stated that the United States would change this policy if the data support it.